電気を消す
denki o kesu
To say "turn off the lights" in Japanese, you use 電気を消す (denki o kesu).
This phrase is used to describe stopping the flow of electricity to a lamp or light fixture so that it stops shining. While denki literally means electricity, using 電気を消す is the natural way to express turning off the lights in a room rather than specifying a particular lamp.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 電気 (denki), which means electricity or light and the verb 消す (kesu), which means to extinguish or to turn off.
How do you pronounce it?
denki o kesu
Did you know?
- The verb 消す is also the standard way to say you are 'erasing' something, such as a pencil mark or a chalkboard writing.
- The verb 消す used in 電気を消す is the same word used to extinguish a fire or erase a chalkboard. This reflects a linguistic view that turning off a light is conceptually similar to putting out a flame.
- While 電気 is used for electric lights, for traditional candles or oil lamps, the phrase 火を消す (extinguish the fire) is used instead.
Examples in context
- 電気を消すのを忘れないで。Remember to turn off the lights.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 電気を消す.Tatoeba #124838 by small_snow, translation #2953270 by CK
- 出かけるとき、電気を消すのを忘れました。I forgot to turn off the lights when I left.Tatoeba #10899837 by small_snow, translation #10899838 by CK
- 寝る前に電気を消す。Neru mae ni denki o kesu.Turn off the lights before going to bed.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are in their living room before bedtime.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、もう寝るよ。Yui, mou neru yo.Yui, I'm going to bed now.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった。電気を消すね。Wakatta. Denki o kesu ne.Okay. I'll turn off the lights.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。おやすみ。Arigatou. Oyasumi.Thanks. Good night.
- 結衣 Yuiおやすみなさい、蓮。Oyasuminasai, Ren.Good night, Ren.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
